DFS Alerts
Justise Winslow (shoulder) expected to miss remainder of season
Winslow will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and is likely out for the rest of the season. This news should cement Josh Richardson’s role in the Heat’s starting lineup, even once their roster is fully healthy minus Winslow.
As reported by: Official Twitter Account of the Miami Heat
Damian Lillard (ankle) officially ruled out tonight
Lillard will not play in tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors due to a sprained left ankle that has now forced him to miss five consecutive games. With Lillard officially inactive, Allen Crabbe will draw the start at shooting guard once again in his place, while C.J. McCollum will take over as the starting point guard and be the primary ball handler and facilitator for Portland. In addition, Shabazz Napier continues to assume the backup point guard role off the bench, but isn’t a particularly viable option considering he has averaged just under 13 minutes per game in the last four contests. With Lillard off the court this season, McCollum unsurprisingly leads the Trail Blazers with a 6.1% usage rate differential (35.3%). Needless to say, McCollum is an elite option in all formats for tonight’s slate with Lillard unable to suit up provided Portland is able to keep this matchup with Golden State relatively close.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl Chris Paul (hamstring) officially ruled out tonight; Austin Rivers and Raymond Felton both remain in starting lineup
Paul will not play in tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies after previously being listed as doubtful on the Clippers injury report with a strained left hamstring that has now forced him to miss seven of the Clippers’ last eight games. Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers has rotated replacement starting point guards in Paul’s absence, but Raymond Felton will draw the start this evening. Meanwhile, Austin Rivers will remain in the starting lineup at small forward. Rivers has played relatively well, albeit somewhat inconsistently, filling in for Paul, and he has seen at least 32 minutes of playing time in four of the last five games. The one exception was due to an early ejection. According to our CourtIQ tool, Rivers leads the Clippers with a 3.7% usage rate differential (23.9%) with Paul and Blake Griffin off the court this season. So, needless to say, he makes for a fine value point guard option on tonight’s slate despite a pace-down matchup against the respectable Grizzles’ defensive unit.
As reported by: Lucas Hann Other tagged players: Austin Rivers, Raymond Felton Patrick McCaw (illness) available to play tonight
McCaw will be available to play in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Warriors’ last two games due to an illness. McCaw hasn’t seen the court in any of the previous three games he was active, so obviously his availability will not have any direct impact on the rotation barring a blowout. If anything, McCaw could take away some of the tournament appeal of Ian Clark, just due to the risk of McCaw’s presence capping his minutes even further. The blowout factor is extremely high in this matchup and Clark could still make for an intriguing tournament punt on the late slates across the industry if he is able to accumulate a significant amount of blowout run like we expect.
As reported by: Anthony Slater Other tagged players: Ian Clark Rudy Gay (hip) officially ruled out tonight
Gay will not play in tonight’s game against the Miami Heat after previously being listed as doubtful on the Kings injury report with a strained right hip flexor that has now forced him to miss nine of the last 10 games. Matt Barnes will likely remain in the starting lineup at small forward and has played at least 27 minutes in each of the previous three games with Gay sidelined. Barnes is best reserved for use in tournaments only, as he still remains a highly volatile option on a night-to-night basis. With Gay off the court this season, unsurprisingly, DeMarcus Cousins has recorded an astronomical 42.1% usage rate, which is 3.2% higher than his season average. So, it goes without saying that Cousins remains an elite option in all formats with an extremely exploitable matchup against a Heat front court that lacks any real size without Hassan Whiteside.
As reported by: James Ham James Johnson (illness) and Tyler Johnson (migraine) will play tonight
James Johnson and Tyler Johnson will both play in tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings after previously being listed on the Heat’s injury report with separate ailments that forced them to miss Tuesday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns. Both players should be expected to log heavy minutes given Miami’s lack of depth, especially in the front court. Dion Waiters will also be available to play, although there has yet to be any confirmation on just how many minutes he will actually see after a lengthy injury absence. James Johnson will likely see minutes at three different positions this evening, if healthy, making him the preferred Heat player to target outside of Goran Dragic.
As reported by: Ira Winderman Other tagged players: Tyler Johnson LeBron James (illness) will play tonight
IJames will play in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls after previously being listed as questionable on the Cavaliers’ injury report with an illness. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love already ruled out, James will have to carry the load this evening. Jordan McRae will replace Irving in the starting lineup, as Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has made it clear that Kay Felder will not start. In addition, Channing Frye is expected to draw the start in Love’s place but is also reportedly dealing with a similar illness. James now becomes a near must play in any format, as he sees a 3.9% usage rate differential (36.3%) with Irving and Love off the court this season.
As reported by: Jason Lloyd Dwyane Wade (knee) will play tonight
Wade will play and start in tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after previously being listed as questionable on the Bulls’ injury report with left knee soreness that forced him to miss Monday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets. His availability is a knock to the projected fantasy value of Jimmy Butler, but he is still certainly a viable option. Wade now becomes an especially intriguing tournament target on the late slates across the industry, as his uncertain status throughout the day will likely lower his ownership.
As reported by: Chuck Swirsky Chandler Parsons (rest) ruled out tonight
Parsons will not play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers but was expected to rest on this second night of a back-to-back set for Memphis. James Ennis will likely find his way into the starting lineup, especially with JaMychal Green also ruled out with a facial fracture. Ennis can be considered as a punt option at a shallow small forward position on the late slates, though he still remains a volatile play. It still remains to be seen if Grizzlies’ head coach David Fizdale will actually start Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol together, as they rarely share the court together normally. Regardless of starting status, Randolph remains a fine option and could push towards the 30-minute mark this evening.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR Dwyane Wade (knee) on track to play tonight
Wade is reportedly expected to play in tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after previously being listed as questionable on the Bulls’ injury report with left knee soreness that forced him to miss Monday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets. His availability is a knock to the projected fantasy value of Jimmy Butler but is still certainly a viable option. Wade now becomes an especially intriguing tournament target on the late slates across the industry, as his uncertain status throughout the day will likely lower his ownership.
As reported by: Vincent Goodwill
JaMychal Green (face) ruled out for tonight
Green will not play in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after previously being listed as questionable on the Grizzlies’ injury report with a fractured maxilla near his right eye that forced him to exit Tuesday’s contest prematurely. It remains to be seen if Grizzlies’ head coach David Fizdale will actually start Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol together, as they rarely share the court together normally. Regardless of starting status, Randolph remains a fine option and could push towards the 30-minute mark this evening.
As reported by: Michael Wallace Other tagged players: Zach Randolph Joffrey Lauvergne (illness) available to play tonight
Lauvergne will be available to play in tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after missing the Thunder’s shootaround due to an illness. Lauvergne has been in the ballpark of 10-15 minutes per game recently and is not a viable option this evening or going forward.
As reported by: Erik Horne Jordan McRae to start for Kyrie Irving; Channing Frye to start for Kevin Love
Irving will not play in tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans after previously being listed as questionable on the Cavaliers’ injury report with a right hamstring injury that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Jordan McRae will replace Irving in the starting lineup, as Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has made it clear that Kay Felder will not start. Kevin Love has also been ruled out, as he deals with an illness. Channing Frye is expected to draw the start in his place but is also dealing with a similar illness. If LeBron James is able to suit up, he becomes a near must play in any format, as he sees a 3.9% usage rate differential (36.3%) with Irving and Love off the court this season.
As reported by: Sean Highkin Other tagged players: Kyrie Irving, Channing Frye, Kevin Love Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love ruled out; LeBron James still questionable and Mike Dunleavy expected to play
Irving will not play in tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans after previously being listed as questionable on the Cavaliers’ injury report with a right hamstring injury that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Jordan McRae will replace Irving in the starting lineup, as Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has made it clear that Kay Felder will not start. Kevin Love has also been ruled out, as he deals with an illness. Channing Frye is expected to draw the start in his place but is also dealing with a similar illness. If LeBron James is able to suit up, he becomes a near must play in any format, as he sees a 3.9% usage rate differential (36.3%) with Irving and Love off the court this season.
As reported by: Tom Withers Other tagged players: Kevin Love, LeBron James, Mike Dunleavy Elfrid Payton replces D.J. Augustin in the starting lineup; Evan Fournier to come off the bench
Payton will be reinserted into the Magic’s starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, sending D.J. Augustin back to the bench to resume his reserve role. Payton was already seeing starters’ minutes off the bench, so his promotion to an official starting role could result in a few extra minutes. On the other hand, this obviously means that Augustin could see a dip in playing time. Payton is an intriguing tournament option in an amazing individual matchup with Dennis Schroder, though he still remains too volatile on a game-to-game basis to be trusted in cash games.
As reported by: @Magic Other tagged players: D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier